Abstract: A method of authenticating communication between a first and second device over an insecure communications network, in which the first device authenticates the second device using a communications protocol including a first communications phase through a first communications channel over the insecure communications network to establish a secure mode of communications between the first and second device, followed by a second communications phase of receiving information from the second device over a second communications channel, such as an empirical channel, and enabling a comparison between the information received from the second device with information generated by the first device thereby enabling authentication of the second device in the event of the information from both devices is consistent.

Abstract: A method of authenticating communication between a first and second device over an insecure communications network, in which the first device authenticates the second device using a communications protocol including a first communications phase through a first communications channel over the insecure communications network to establish a secure mode of communications between the first and second device, followed by a second communications phase of receiving information from the second device over a second communications channel, such as an empirical channel, and enabling a comparison between the information received from the second device with information generated by the first device thereby enabling authentication of the second device in the event of the information from both devices is consistent.